Lewis Hamilton’s car ‘isn’t that horrific’ says Max Verstappen to reignite ‘sandbagging’ claims

Max Verstappen has reignited his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton after claiming his car «is not all horrific» going into this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix. Hamilton has endured a tough start to the season and is currently seventh in the standings – 58 points adrift off leader Charles Leclerc. Ad/> The seven-time World Drivers’ Championship winner has finished third, 10th, fourth and 13th in his four races so far this season, prompting Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff to brand the car ‘undriveable.’ Miami Grand PrixHamilton compares Mercedes struggles to issues with 'worst car I’ve had'A DAY AGO Verstappen lapped Hamilton in the last grand prix in Monza, and told the Telegraph: “To be honest, it wasn’t something I was enjoying at the time.

“I was just focused on my race, on getting through the traffic as cleanly as possible and winning. I mean, it wasn’t like I was ‘Oh, I’m lapping Lewis, what an amazing feeling.’ “I had great battles with Lewis last year. Now he’s in a car which is not so great.

“Having said that, of course, George [Russell] does finish fourth in that car. So, it [the W13] is not all horrific right?” “George probably had a good start and a good clean first lap, and that helps,” he added. “But I’d say [Hamilton’s] car had quite a bit more pace than the midfield traffic.

“But yeah, it was hard to pass. I mean also when there was only one dry line and when you don't have, let's say, a top speed advantage anymore. It makes it a lot harder to judge how far Lewis was off George.